Apogee Strong

Why do so many driven men work relentlessly, achieve success, and still feel unfulfilled?What if the real issue isn’t effort—but identity?In this episode, we unpack the hidden pressures, internal battles, and unspoken frustrations men face around purpose, discipline, and leadership—and why grinding harder often leads to burnout, not clarity.Our guest, Austin Joel Sims (AJ Sims), is a coach, mentor, and founder of Cement Factory, helping men build strength, discipline, and identity from the inside out. AJ began competing in bodybuilding at just 12 years old and trained alongside elite athletes, including four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler. Today, he blends performance, faith, and mindset coaching to mentor men worldwide, lead retreats, build purpose-driven brands, and raise his family in Oklahoma.Together, we explore the difference between striving from a wounded mindset and leading from a grounded identity, how unresolved trauma quietly drives ambition, and what it truly means to build a life rooted in purpose, peace, and standards.If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly proving yourself—or wondering why success doesn’t feel as fulfilling as it should—this conversation will challenge how you think, lead, and show up.Quotes:"Covenant, not contract—contracts are meant to be broken, covenants aren’t broken.""You recycle your pain. Don’t just go cry to cry. Actually use that as fuel in a healthy way—not from a state of internal anger.""Standards are not pressure. Standards are alignment."Actionable Takeaways:Audit your ambition: Identify one area of your life where you’re striving to prove something rather than building from clarity. Ask yourself, Who am I trying to impress—and why?Shift from effort to identity: Write down three standards you want to live by daily (not goals). Then ask, Do my current habits align with the man I say I want to become?Address the root, not the grind: Take time this week to reflect on a past wound, failure, or disappointment that may still be driving your work ethic. What would change if you led from healing instead of hustle?Create a daily non-negotiable: Choose one small, disciplined action (morning silence, movement, journaling, prayer, or reflection) and commit to it for 7 days—no matter how you feel.Redefine success: Ask yourself this question and write the answer down: If success had nothing to do with money or status, what would a “well-lived life” actually look like for me?Conclusion:This conversation is a reminder that real strength isn’t built by grinding harder—it’s built by leading from the right identity. When discipline is rooted in purpose and clarity, it stops being exhausting and starts becoming sustainable.Whether you’re a high performer feeling burned out, a leader questioning your direction, or someone who knows there’s more beneath the surface, this episode challenges you to slow down, examine what’s driving you, and rebuild from the inside out.Because when identity is solid, everything else—leadership, performance, faith, and fulfillment—has a foundation that lasts.

What happens when discipline stops working? When motivation fades, success feels hollow, and the version of yourself you know you could be starts clearing his throat in the other room? Many men feel stuck between ambition and exhaustion—wanting to lead well, live with purpose, and raise strong families, yet quietly battling regret, distraction, and self-doubt. Are we chasing the wrong definition of success? And what if the struggle itself is not the problem—but the path?In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, we sit down with Bryan Callen—a comedian, actor, and thinker who brings depth, honesty, and timeless wisdom into every room he enters. Beyond the stage, Brian is a devoted father and a lifelong student of history, philosophy, and human behavior. He speaks candidly about responsibility, identity, and the necessity of struggle in becoming who you’re meant to be.Drawing from personal loss, public failure, entrepreneurship, faith, and decades of studying great thinkers, Brian challenges the modern obsession with comfort, shortcuts, and surface-level success. With humor and hard-earned clarity, he reminds us that growth isn’t found in ease—but in showing up, doing the work, and refusing to waste the potential you’ve been given. If you’re ready to rethink success, confront who you’re becoming, and embrace the work required to live with purpose, this episode will stay with you long after it ends.Quotes:"My whole life is a resolution. I don’t know if I believe in discipline anymore—I believe in inspiration.""I was always terrified of regret. My biggest fear is that I won’t realize my potential.""There are such hidden gifts in destruction. There’s something beautabout being stripped bare and having to rebuild."Actionable TakeawaysStop waiting for motivation—build momentum instead.Inspiration fades. Progress comes from taking small, consistent actions even when you don’t feel like it. Mini-wins compound.Redefine success beyond money and status.Ask yourself: Would I want my children to become the kind of person I’m becoming? Let character, responsibility, and integrity be your metrics.Use struggle as a tool, not an excuse.Pain and resistance aren’t signs you’re failing—they’re signs you’re being shaped. Growth requires friction.Tend your inner life like a garden.Pay attention to your thoughts. Pull out negative, self-defeating narratives before they take root and replace them with better questions and healthier inputs.Surround yourself with people who raise the bar.Get close to those who show up consistently, demand more from themselves, and live with purpose. Proximity shapes identity.ConclusionThis conversation is a reminder that becoming who you’re meant to be is not about hacks, hype, or overnight transformation. It’s about responsibility. It’s about showing up when it’s hard, staying in the work when it’s uncomfortable, and refusing to waste the potential you’ve been given. Growth is forged through struggle, wisdom is earned through experience, and leadership begins with mastering yourself first.If this episode challenged you, let it. Take one idea, one action, one hard but necessary step—and commit to it. The work won’t always feel good, but it will shape you. And over time, that consistency will turn into character, purpose, and a life lived with intention.

Why do so many capable young men feel stuck—lacking discipline, direction, or purpose? What separates those who drift through life from those who lead with confidence and conviction?In this episode, we sit down with Steve Montgomery, head of the American Top Team Striking Program, to unpack the hard-earned lessons behind real leadership, discipline, and personal growth.Steve is a Bellator veteran, Ultimate Fighter 25 contestant, and two-time UFC veteran, with a perfect 6–0 amateur record and a 10–6 professional MMA career against world-class competition. With over 15 years of training and 11 years coaching at American Top Team Headquarters, Steve has evolved from elite fighter to elite mentor. He is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Bob DeLuca and has coached fighters across the UFC, Bellator, One FC, and beyond.More than titles and wins, Steve brings a passion for building disciplined, high-character individuals. This conversation explores how adversity shapes leaders, why standards matter, and how mentorship can change the trajectory of a life.If you’re looking for clarity, strength, and a blueprint for becoming a better man—this episode delivers.Quotes:"You become a product of your environment, but there comes a point where you start to flip the script and make your environment a product of you.""Winning sucks the whole time—until your hand is raised. Everything wants to quit, but that’s what makes victory matter.""You have to just do it. If you want to understand something, don’t just study it—go do it."Actionable Takeaways:Audit your environment. Take 10 minutes to list the people, habits, and spaces you spend the most time in. Ask yourself: Is this environment shaping me into who I want to become—or holding me back? Make one intentional change this week.Set and enforce one non-negotiable standard. Choose a single daily discipline (training, reading, sleep, prayer, or skill practice) and commit to it for the next 30 days—no excuses, no renegotiation.Seek correction, not comfort. Identify one area where you’ve been avoiding feedback. Ask a coach, mentor, or trusted peer for honest input—and listen without defending yourself.Lead before you’re ready. Look for one opportunity this week to model leadership through action: show up early, help someone improve, or take responsibility without being asked.Redefine winning. Reflect on this question: Am I chasing applause, or am I building long-term character? Write down what “winning” should look like for your life five years from now—and what habits must change to get there.Conclusion:True leadership isn’t built in comfort—it’s forged through discipline, accountability, and the willingness to grow when no one is watching. Steve Montgomery’s journey reminds us that the same principles that create elite fighters also shape strong men: clear standards, the right environment, and mentors who care enough to correct.Whether you’re a young man searching for direction or a leader investing in others, this episode challenges you to raise your standards, embrace hard work, and commit to becoming the kind of person others can trust and follow.👉 Train with purpose. Learn from the best.Visit https://www.avlmma.com/steve-montgomery to train with Steve Montgomery at American Top Team and start building real skill, discipline, and confidence today.

Why do smart, capable leaders still feel unheard? Why do ideas lose power the moment pressure rises?In this episode, we explore the hidden communication gap that keeps leaders from inspiring action—no matter how experienced or knowledgeable they are. We dive into why presence, clarity, and strategic intent matter more than perfect words.Our guest, Ash Seddeek, is a leadership and executive communication coach who helps leaders speak with confidence and impact. Born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt, Ash came to the U.S. as a Fulbright Scholar, studied linguistics, and built a corporate career at companies like Oracle and Cisco.Today, Ash coaches executives, develops AI-powered communication tools, and helps leaders influence and connect authentically in high-stakes moments. This conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, confidence, and what it really takes to be heard.Quotes:"Presence is about intentionally listening and giving your audience your full attention, so they feel heard, valued, and connected to your message.""The best ideas don’t happen when you’re grinding through the day; they emerge when you give yourself space to step back, reflect, and think deeply.""Stories are an amazing vehicle for pulling people in—when you share your challenges and triumphs, you give others permission to do the same."Actionable Takeaways:Audit your presence, not just your wordsBefore your next important conversation or meeting, focus on how you show up. Are you truly listening, or just waiting to speak? Practice paraphrasing what others say to confirm understanding and build trust.Clarify your strategic intent before you communicateAsk yourself: What do I want the listener to think, feel, or do after this conversation? Write this down before emails, presentations, or difficult discussions to ensure your message has purpose.Use story to earn attention, not demand itReplace data-first communication with a short personal story, metaphor, or real example. Stories reduce resistance and help people lean in—especially in high-stakes or emotionally charged moments.Conclusion:Great leadership isn’t about having the right title or saying the perfect words—it’s about showing up with presence, intention, and authenticity. This conversation with Ash Seddeek reminds us that communication is not a performance, but a service. When leaders learn to listen deeply, clarify their intent, and speak in ways that truly connect, influence follows naturally.Whether you’re leading a team, a family, or your own personal growth, the challenge is the same: stop trying to impress and start trying to connect. When you do, your message doesn’t just get heard—it moves people to action.

What do you do when life hands you pain you never asked for—and refuses to take it back?How do you lead, live, and love well when suffering becomes part of your story?Many people spend their lives trying to avoid hardship, hide brokenness, or numb disappointment. Others quietly wrestle with deeper questions: Why did this happen to me? Can anything good come from this? And how do I move forward without losing hope?In this powerful conversation, we explore what it looks like to face adversity with courage, faith, and responsibility. This episode challenges the belief that hardship disqualifies us from impact and instead reveals how suffering can become the foundation for purpose, gratitude, and meaningful leadership.John O’Leary is a burn survivor turned bestselling author, global speaker, and host of the Live Inspired Podcast. After surviving burns on 100% of his body at just nine years old—with doctors giving him less than a 1% chance to live—John’s life became a testimony to resilience, faith, and intentional living. Today, he inspires millions around the world to live with purpose, gratitude, and courage. His story will soon be featured in the major motion picture Soul on Fire.John speaks not from theory, but from lived experience. Through decades of physical recovery, emotional struggle, and personal growth, he has learned what it means to fight forward, embrace responsibility, and lead with humility. His journey uniquely equips him to help others reframe suffering and rediscover meaning in the midst of hardship.This is not simply a story about survival.It is a conversation about what you do next with your pain, your calling, and your life.If you have ever felt broken, discouraged, or uncertain about how to move forward, this episode offers perspective, hope, and a reminder that your story is not over.Quotes:“The more you get to know me, the less impressed you are by me. That’s the truth—but the story is not a testimony to how great I am, but to how great God is and how big grace is.”“Humility isn’t pretending we’re less than we are; it’s recognizing that every good thing comes from something greater than ourselves.”“As a leader, it’s easy to aim big; but in this season of my life, I keep asking, ‘How small can I make this? How can I love one person well?’ I’m after the one, not the millions.”Actionable Takeaways:Identify your “fight forward” moment. Write down one hardship you’ve been avoiding or resenting. Ask yourself: What responsibility do I still have in this situation, regardless of what happened to me? Choose one small action you can take this week to move forward.Practice agency over victimhood. Notice where you’ve been waiting for circumstances, people, or emotions to change before taking action. Commit to one area of your life where you will stop waiting and start doing your part. Redefine what heroism looks like. Reflect on the ordinary people in your life who quietly show up with consistency, sacrifice, and grace. Reach out to one of them this week and acknowledge their impact.Conclusion:This conversation reminds us that suffering does not disqualify us from purpose—it can refine it. While we may not choose the challenges we face, we always have a choice in how we respond. Leadership, resilience, and meaningful impact are not built in comfort, but through courage, responsibility, and grace.As you reflect on this episode, consider where you are being invited to fight forward rather than retreat, to take ownership rather than remain stuck, and to live with intention rather than fear. Your story is still unfolding, and what you do next matters.This episode is an invitation to stop measuring life by what went wrong and start measuring it by who you are becoming.Learn more about John O’Leary’s story and the mission behind his message at https://johnolearyinspires.com/johns-story/.

Have you ever felt like you’re doing meaningful work… yet something inside you knows you’re not fully aligned with what you’re truly meant to do? Do you sense you have a message, a lesson, or a lived experience that could help others—but you’re unsure how to shape it, communicate it, or even recognize its value?What if the story you’re already living is the key to your next level of clarity, influence, and impact?In this episode, we sit down with Bill Blankschaen, founder and Chief Story Architect of StoryBuilders—a company devoted to telling stories that make the world a better place by helping leaders turn their ideas into compelling books and learning experiences that multiply their impact, influence, and income.Bill’s journey—from Christian school founder and pastor, to stepping into the unknown with six kids and no guaranteed income, to becoming a trusted guide for bestselling authors, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders—reveals the power of knowing your story and telling it well. Through candid reflections on calling, clarity, identity, faith, family leadership, and the “normalcy trap,” Bill shows why most people underestimate the value of their lived experiences—and how storytelling can unlock purpose at home, at work, and in your mission.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, parent, mentor, or creator, this episode will help you think differently about who you are, what you’ve lived, and how your story can change others’ lives.Quotes:“Clarity just eliminates friction and draws people to you that you want to be drawn to you. You have to have that clarity before you can expand that influence.”“Your story is about you, but your story isn’t for you. You are there to serve someone—your story is there to serve a purpose.”“The battle belongs to God, not to you. Sometimes you need to let go and let Him fight it.”Actionable TakeawaysBreak the “normalcy trap” by naming the value in your own story.Write down three life experiences you’ve dismissed as “normal,” and ask: How could this help someone who’s 5–10 years behind me? This exercise reveals hidden insights you’ve been overlooking.Clarify your identity before your message.Using Bill’s principle that clarity precedes influence, take 10 minutes to answer: Who am I really called to be? Who is my story for—and who is it not for? Identity drives communication, leadership, and purpose.Define the story your family or team is living in right now.Ask yourself: What story am I unconsciously telling at home or at work? Is it an intentional narrative or an accidental one? Pick one tradition, phrase, or practice to reinforce the culture you want to build.Turn one life lesson into a teachable framework.Choose a challenge you’ve overcome, then outline the three steps someone else could follow. This becomes the foundation for a book chapter, workshop, keynote, or coaching process.Practice surrender by identifying what you’re gripping too tightly.Bill shared how breakthrough came when he released control and allowed God to lead. Reflect on one area—business, family, or personal identity—where you need to loosen your grip and allow clarity, peace, or guidance to emerge.ConclusionThis conversation is a powerful reminder that your story is one of your greatest assets—personally, professionally, and spiritually. When you gain clarity about who you are and what your experiences mean, you unlock influence, purpose, and direction.Bill challenges us to stop overlooking the value in our own lives and start telling our stories with intention. Your experiences aren’t accidental—they’re assignments. And when you share them with clarity and courage, you create impact far beyond yourself.Breakthrough begins when you decide to own your story.

Why do so many young creators feel stuck—limited by resources, confidence, or lack of opportunities—while a select few find ways to break through? In today’s episode, we explore the real challenges facing the next generation of filmmakers: imposter syndrome, industry shifts, creative pressure, and the struggle to build momentum without traditional pathways or support networks.Our guest, Jake Ross Bell, is living proof that you don’t need film school or Hollywood connections to create meaningful work. At just 21, Jake is an indie filmmaker, writer-director, and creator of the IndieFilm Insider podcast. Known for his dark, character-driven storytelling and gritty DIY approach, he’s built a thriving creative community through his company, OrangeJuice Media, producing impactful films on small budgets while pushing artistic boundaries with vision and discipline.In this conversation, Jake shares:How the filmmaking landscape is shifting away from traditional gatekeepersWhy young creatives struggle with confidence—and how to lead even when you feel unqualifiedThe value of learning by doing versus waiting for permissionHow to build community, collaborate effectively, and stay resilientThe mindset needed to pursue big, ambitious projects at a young ageWhether you're a filmmaker, a young creative, or someone searching for direction in a noisy world, this episode offers clarity, inspiration, and a roadmap for turning passion into practice.Quotes:"If you see something that you don't like, do something about it. Don't actually just, you know, wait for it to change itself, because it's most likely not going to." "Art is just people trying to learn stuff about themselves, about the world, about others. That's kind of the vessel I chose—exploring darker dramas to understand the human experience.""A lot of what I would say are my skills come from actually just learning—making mistakes, trying things, and figuring out what works by doing." Actionable TakeawaysChallenge your creative excuses: Identify one project you’ve delayed because of fear, lack of resources, or perfectionism—and commit to starting it this week using whatever tools you already have.Lead before you feel ready: Practice giving clear direction in one area of your life (school, work, or creative projects). Leadership grows through repetition, not confidence.Study human behavior intentionally: Jake’s stories come from observing real people. Spend 10–15 minutes a day watching interactions, emotions, and environments—then journal what you notice.Build your creative community: Reach out to one person who shares your artistic interests and propose a small collaboration. Don’t wait for your “team”—start forming it.Redefine your filmmaking (or creative) education: Ask yourself, “What can I learn by doing instead of waiting to be taught?” Then take one concrete step—write a scene, film a rough shot, or create a simple 60-second story.ConclusionThis episode reminds us that creative growth doesn’t come from waiting for permission, perfect conditions, or the “right time.” It comes from taking bold steps with what you have, where you are. Through Jake Ross Bell’s journey—learning by doing, leading before feeling ready, and pursuing stories with conviction—we see what’s possible when passion meets persistence. Whether you’re a filmmaker, creator, or someone navigating your own path, the challenge is the same: start now, stay curious, and keep building. Your work only improves when you’re brave enough to make it.If you enjoyed this conversation, share it with someone who needs the push to begin their own creative journey.

Are you waking up drained, unfocused, and frustrated—yet every test says you're “fine”?Why does your energy keep dipping no matter how clean you eat or how often you hit the gym?What if the problem isn’t your discipline… but that you’ve been looking for answers in the wrong place?In this episode, we dive into the real reasons why so many men and women feel exhausted, foggy, and stuck—even when they’re “doing everything right.” We explore the emotional and physical frustrations that come from being dismissed by conventional healthcare, and the deeper questions many are asking: What’s really going on inside my body? Why don’t I feel like myself anymore? And is there finally a path forward that actually works?Our guest Adam Woolard knows this journey firsthand. Adam is the Vice President of Business Development and a Health Coach at Joi + Blokes. In his early 30s, he began experiencing unexplained changes in his health—low energy, brain fog, declining motivation—and conventional medicine offered no real solutions. A comprehensive blood work review through Joi + Blokes changed everything. It transformed his health, his clarity, and his life. Today, Adam is on a mission to guide people who feel disillusioned, dismissed, or overlooked by traditional healthcare and are ready to finally get real answers.Inside this conversation, we unpack:– Why so many adults are walking around with undiagnosed deficiencies– What conventional medicine often misses– The key biomarkers everyone should know– How Adam rebuilt his health from the inside out– The path to becoming the strongest, clearest, most energized version of yourselfThis is a powerful, eye-opening episode for anyone ready to reclaim their health, advocate for their body, and step into a life that finally feels good again.Quotes:“I start with, I'm a believer, so I gave my life to Christ about two years ago. I was baptized about a year and a half ago. So that's how I initially describe myself, because all the gifts, all the amazing things that I have in my life, they wouldn't be a thing without Jesus.”“You can't really focus on pleasing everybody, because you're never going to please everybody. Even if you are the most morally upstanding person ever, there’s going to be someone who’s going to disagree with you, and those voices are way louder than the voices that agree with you.”“I’m on this journey of just self-discovery, but also just being the best man that I possibly can so that I can show up in the way that everyone who is in my life needs me to.”Actionable Takeaways:Reflect on your core values and identity: Ask yourself, “Who am I beyond my job titles and roles?” and consider how your actions align with your beliefs and long-term purpose.Prioritize health by understanding your body: Schedule comprehensive blood work to uncover your underlying biomarkers, then use that information to make targeted improvements in diet, exercise, sleep, and overall wellness.Initiate regular relationship check-ins: Set aside intentional time with your partner each day or week to discuss highs, lows, and appreciations—strengthening your connection and communication.Conclusion:Adam’s story is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to accept “fine” as your future. When your body is signaling that something is off—fatigue, low motivation, brain fog, hormonal shifts—you deserve more than generic answers or quick dismissals. Real transformation happens when you dig deeper, ask better questions, and partner with people who actually care about getting to the root cause.If you’re tired of feeling unheard, overlooked, or stuck in the dark about your health, this episode is your invitation to take the first step toward clarity. With the right testing, the right guidance, and the right support, you can reclaim your energy, your confidence, and your life.Your health is too important to leave to guesswork. Start the journey toward real answers today.

Why does it feel like screens are stealing our kids’ imagination, our attention spans, and even our peace at home? Why are so many families exhausted, disconnected, and overwhelmed by technology—even though we know it’s supposed to make life easier? If you’ve ever wondered how to break the cycle of device dependence without guilt, shame, or overwhelm, this episode is for you.Today’s guest, S. S. Coulter—or Shannon—is leading a screen-lite movement that’s changing how families reconnect with real life. Through Planet Fassa, she empowers kids to rediscover creativity, curiosity, and childhood joy through books, fun activities, and simple daily habits. She also equips adults to Break the Chain of tech overload, helping them model the confidence, presence, and creativity we want the next generation to inherit. Her work comes to life in this conversation, where she shares practical solutions, real-world stories, and the neuroscience behind why screens are so addictive—as heard throughout the episodeGet ready for an honest, hopeful, and deeply important conversation about reclaiming connection, rebuilding imagination, and taking back our families from the constant pull of screens.Quotes:"I’m trying to get people to make their phones their servants versus their masters.""Our best memories are when we’re with people—you don’t make your favorite memories staring at a screen.""It’s not our fault that we’re addicted to screens—they’re made to addict us."Actionable Takeaways:Set daily screen-free times for both parents and children; be intentional in modeling the behavior you want to see in your family.Swap some habitual screen time with offline activities—choose simple, low-material tasks to spark imagination and creativity.Reconfigure your device settings (use black-and-white or red-light filters, enable "bedtime mode," or create physical distance from devices) to make phone usage less addictive.Reflect and discuss as a family: “What are our favorite memories, and how many of those happened on a screen?”Connect with your community or peer group to share successful screen-free activity ideas and support each other in building new habits.Conclusion:S. S. Coulter reminds us that reclaiming our families from screen overload isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention. When we understand why technology hooks us and how it shapes our kids’ developing brains, we can finally take back control with confidence, compassion, and simple daily choices. Shannon’s mission proves that imagination can be rebuilt, connection can be restored, and joy can return to our homes one small habit at a time. Her message is a powerful call to lead by example, create healthier rhythms, and give our children the childhood—and future—they truly deserve.

Why do so many people feel like they have to shrink at work? Why do smart, capable leaders still battle self-doubt, burnout, and the pressure to hide who they really are? And what would happen if you finally showed up as your full self—without fear, without armor, and without apology?In this powerful episode, we sit down with Claude Silver, the world’s first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX and a global voice for heart-centered leadership. Claude is on a mission to transform workplace culture and redefine what true leadership looks like. She partners with Gary Vaynerchuk to drive Vayner’s people-first success, has earned Campaign US’s Female Frontier Award and AdWeek’s Changing the Game Award, and speaks to teams at Meta, Google, U.S. Government agencies, the Armed Forces, and audiences worldwide. Featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal, she is also the author of Be Yourself at Work, a guide to replacing fear and conformity with authenticity and emotional courage.Through her lived wisdom and candid storytelling, Claude shows how embracing your humanity is not a liability—it’s a leadership advantage. Get ready to rethink how you work, lead, connect, and show up every day.Quotes:"You are the CEO of your life. You are not here to live someone else’s life or fit a mold—they don’t want you to.""Empathy isn’t me putting myself in your shoes; it’s riding shotgun with you and asking, 'How can I support you?'""Consistency is the key. Showing up the same way, pretty much every day, is my greatest strength."Actionable Takeaways:Reflect on your authenticity: Ask yourself, “What is it costing me to not show up as my full self at work?” Identify one way you can bring more of your true self into your professional life this week.Practice intentional empathy: Reach out to a colleague or loved one, and instead of trying to solve their issue, simply ask, “How can I support you?” Focus on listening and understanding their unique experience.Set and communicate healthy boundaries: Define your start and end times for work, and communicate them clearly to empower yourself and model boundaries for others.Commit to self-awareness: Regularly journal or check in with yourself to recognize personal triggers and areas for growth. Consider identifying one habit or reaction you want to work on.Conclusion:Claude’s message is a powerful reminder that the most impactful leaders aren’t the ones who hide behind titles or toughness—they’re the ones who lead with honesty, empathy, and heart. When you stop shrinking and start showing up as your true self, you create space for others to do the same. This episode challenges you to rethink how you lead, how you work, and who you’re becoming. Your voice, your story, and your humanity are your greatest strengths—so bring them forward boldly.